Twenty six people have been killed, including 11 in high range Idukki in landslips, in the torrential rains in Kerala. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the situation as “very grim” with army columns being deployed at Ayannkulu, Idukki and Wayanad.

As water levels rise in various dams and reach almost their maximum capacity, shutters of at least 22 reservoirs in Kerala have been opened to drain out excess water. Three of the five shutters of the Idukki reservoir were opened for the first time in 26 years.

Here are the live updates:

12.21pm IST

Pamba dam gates opened in Kerala

Kerala opens Pamba dam gates as well. Twenty four reservoirs have been opened in the state so far to deal with the torrential downpour.

12:03pm IST

Water released from Idukki dam may increase by 3 times: Pinarayi

In a Facebook post, CM Pinarayi said relief operations by the Army, Navy, NDRF and Coast Guard were in full swing. “As the water levels in Idukki dam rise, we will have to open the shutters of the dam to release water. More than three times of the water being released now may have to be released. In such a circumstance, the water levels of Periyar river will rise.”

The chief minister asked people to remain vigilant and said alerts will be issued to the public.

11:43am IST

Thunderstorms likely in Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Wayanad districts

IMD bulletin at 8 am said thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds are likely to affect Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Wayanad districts.

#Kerala: Two more shutters of Idukki dam were opened today morning, increasing the water flow into Periyar river to 125 cuses (1,25,000 ltres/sec); Visuals from Idduki dam and Idukki Dam catchment area pic.twitter.com/r3hGFUOgW4

— ANI (@ANI)

August 10, 2018

11:25am IST

CM Pinarayi Vijayan cancels all his programmes till Aug 12

CM Pinarayi Vijayan cancels all his programmes till August 12 and will remain in state capital to lead the coordination of rain relief efforts.

11:06am IST

241 relief camps opened, 15,695 people shifted from low-lying areas

According to PTI’s state disaster control room sources, 241 relief camps have been opened and 15,695 people have been shifted from low-lying areas. Over 5,500 people from Wayanad district, where a red alert had been sounded yesterday, have been shifted to relief camps, the sources said this morning.

In Ernakulam, 3,456 people have been shifted to camps following floods after 4 shutters of the Idamalayar dam were opened yesterday

Idukki water level at 2401.34 feet

CM holds meeting to review the situation

CM Pinarayi Vijayan is holding a meeting with top revenue and police officials to review the situation.

10:21am IST

Idukki received 100 mm rain in the last 24 hours

Idukki has received 100 mm rain in the last 24 hours.The South-west monsoon has been vigorous over Kerala resulting in heavy rains in various parts of the state since the past two days.

Visuals from Idukki as heavy rain continues to lash #Kerala. Two more shutters of Idukki dam were opened today morning, increasing the water flow into Periyar river to 125 cuses (1,25,000 ltres/sec) pic.twitter.com/9B6DB2PzXt

— ANI (@ANI)

August 10, 2018

10:05am IST

Periyar river water flow increases to 125 cusecs

With two more shutters of Idukki dam opened on Friday morning, the water flow into Periyar river increased to 125 cusecs (1,25,000 ltres/sec).

10:03am IST

Water level in Idamalayar dam under control: Minister

“Water level in Idamalayar dam is under control. So we can open remaining two more shutters of Idukki. But our main concern is it will lead to more water downstream,” said state power minister MM Mani. The minister is camping in Idukki.

9:53am IST

Drinking water distribution affected in Kochi

Drinking water distribution affected in Kochi as sludge creeps into water pumping unit in Aluva.

9:44am IST

Heavy goods vehicles banned in Idukki: CMO

The CMO announced that a ban has been imposed on the movement of heavy goods vehicles and tourist vehicles in the high ranges of Idukki. The decision was taken on account of unabated rains in the area.

9:42am IST

Idamalayar dam water level at 169.18 metres

At 8 am, the water level at Idamalayar dam was 169.18 metres.

9:37am IST

Army rescues 30 stranded tourists in Munnar

Army rescues 30 tourists stranded in Munnar. As dam water gushes to downstream, restriction likely in Cochin international airport.

9:27am IST

Dam water expected to reach Ernakulam district in 2 hours

“We are keeping utmost vigil in Ernakulam as dam water is expected to reach downstream in two hours,” said state revenue minister E chandrasekharan, who is camping in Aluva.

9:02am IST

60 relief camps opened in Ernakulam, dam water reaches Aluva

60 relief camps opened in ernakulam district as dam water reach aluva and surrounding areas. Many small villages in cheruthoni submerged.

8:47am IST

Karnataka rushes relief materials to Kerala, agrees to release 75,000 cusecs of water from Kabini reservoir

Karnataka is rushing Rs 10 crore worth relief materials to Kerala. “Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy directed state Chief Secretary TM Vijaya Bhaskar to rush relief materials and a team of doctors to Kerala, reeling under heavy rains and flash floods,” said the statement.

On Kerala’s request, the state government has also agreed to release 75,000 cusecs of water from Kabini reservoir in Mysuru districts to tackle the flash floods caused by excessive backwaters across the border in Kerala. As one of the tributaries, Kabini originates in the Waynad district and flows eastward to join the Cauvery river at T Narasipura in Karnataka.

8:27am IST

Idukki dam water level crosses 2401 feet

The total capacity of Idukki dam, Asia’s biggest arch dam, is 2403 feet and the water level has now crossed 2401 feet. What is really worrying is there is no let up in rain in catchment areas and water is flowing to the reservoir with more speed than the quantity of water getting released, an official said.

“We are monitoring the situation closely,” said state power minister M M Mani, hailing from Idukki.

8:18am IST

Army, Navy and NDRF deployed

The Army has deployed three columns comprising about 75 personnel each in Ayannkulu, Idukki and Wayanad. Two more columns have been requisitioned and moved to Kozikode and Mallapuram.

Three teams of NDRF are in Kozhikode, the chief minister’s office said. A 48-member strong team is expected to reach Wayanad today morning. A team of 28 members will go to Malappuram, While another 28 members of NDRF will concentrate their work in Kozhikode.

Another 3 teams of NDRF reached Palakkad on Thursday night, of which 28 members will focus on disaster management efforts in Palakkad and a 48-member team will go to Idukki.

A 15 member NDRF team has been brought to Wayanad in a helicopter.

A 15-member team of Navy is in Malappuram while another 5 members are in Wayanad. A team from Ezhimala Naval academy will be in Wayanad.

8:02am IST

US issues advisory to its citizens

The US issued an advisory, asking its citizens not to visit Kerala because of the flash floods in the state. In the advisory, the US said the heavy southwest monsoon rains triggered landslides and floods in the state, and American citizens should avoid visiting all affected areas in the state.

“Avoid all areas throughout Kerala affected by landslides and flash floods,” it read.

7:58am IST

CM Pinarayi calls emergency cabinet meeting

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has called an emergency cabinet in the morning. The situation is grave, a senior revenue official told HT.

7:55am IST

Vehicular movement restricted in Idukki

Vehicular movement restricted in Idukki. Authorities have urged people to remain at high locations.

7:52am IST

Two more shutters of Idukki dam opened

Two more shutters of Idukki dam were opened on Friday morning, 18 hours after the first shutter was opened around 12pm on Thursday . A high alert has been issued in Kochi and surrounding areas as water gushes downstream. The army and navy have been deployed to help local administration.

The Idukki dam is now releasing 1.50 lakh litres per second. The catchment area received 100 mm rain on Thursday night.

7:45am IST

Death toll rises to 26, heavy rains forecast

Death toll in the rain and floods rise to 26. There is no let up in the rain and flash floods. The Kerala meteorological department has forecast rains to continue on Friday and return on Monday.